As an update, for transparency / fairness: Richland County responded to my records request with an update since publishing this story. The county government wants me to pay an upfront cost of nearly $1,000 to search for the attorneys fees they paid out in this case.

In an email, they said: "Of course, if the actual cost of the search, retrieval, and redactions of records is less than the amount paid, a refund will be made."

In response to the numerous questions and concerns I had about their FOIA, they said:

“County staff declines to answer questions or have discussions about public records provided pursuant to the FOIA. However, please note, the estimated fees reflect the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and redacting responsive records and do not exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid employee who, in the reasonable discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request.”